Sheet processing apparatus, sheet conveying path opening method, and erasing apparatus

Abstract

A sheet processing apparatus includes: a conveying member configured to convey a sheet; a first opening section including a conveyance guide section arranged on the opposite side of the conveying member across a conveying path and configured to form the conveying path and a first pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the conveyance guide section, the first opening section being configured to form the conveying path using the conveyance guide section if changing to a closed state and open the conveying path if changing to an open state; and a second opening section including a cover section configured to cover the first opening section if the first opening section changes to the closed state and a second pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the cover section, the second opening section being configured to cause, if pivoting, the first opening section to pivot following the second opening section.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A sheet processing apparatus comprising:
 a conveying member configured to convey a sheet; 
 a first opening section including a conveyance guide section arranged on an opposite side of the conveying member across a conveying path for conveying the sheet and configured to form the conveying path and a first pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the conveyance guide section, the first opening section being configured to form the conveying path using the conveyance guide section if changing to a closed state and open the conveying path if changing to an open state; and 
 a second opening section including a cover section configured to cover the first opening section if the first opening section changes to the closed state and a second pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the cover section, the second opening section being configured to cause, if pivoting, the first opening section to pivot following the second opening section. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a straight line connecting the first pivot shaft and the second pivot shaft is horizontal. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the first opening section includes, in a position facing the conveying path, a reading unit configured to read an image on the sheet. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the first opening section includes:
 a conveying roller configured to convey the sheet; and 
 an elastic member set in the conveyance guide section and configured to press the conveying roller against the conveying member if the first opening section is closed, and 
 
 the second opening section includes a pressing section configured to press and close the first opening section if closed. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the first opening section includes a receiving section pressed by the pressing section, and 
 the pressing section keeps contact with the receiving section when the second opening section opens and closes. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the second opening section includes stoppers arranged in positions opposed to each other across the second pivot shaft of the cover section and configured to regulate an opening action of the second opening section. 
     
     
       7. A sheet conveying path opening method comprising: causing a first opening section to pivot following a second opening section to thereby open a sheet conveying path for conveying a sheet,
 the first opening section including a conveyance guide section arranged on an opposite side of a conveying member across the sheet conveying path and configured to form the conveying path and a first pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the conveyance guide section, and 
 the second opening section including a cover section configured to cover the first opening section and a second pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the cover section. 
 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 7 , further comprising: reading an image on the sheet with a reading unit included in the first opening section in a position facing the conveying path. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 8 , further comprising:
 pressing, if the first opening section is closed, a conveying roller, configured to convey the sheet, against the conveying member with an elastic member set in the conveyance guide section of the first opening section; and 
 pressing and closing the first opening section with a pressing section included in the second opening section. 
 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising: opening and closing the first opening section and the second opening section while keeping the pressing section and a receiving section, which is provided in the first opening section and pressed by the pressing section, in contact with each other. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising: regulating an opening action of the second opening section with stoppers arranged in positions opposed to each other across the second pivot shaft of the cover section. 
     
     
       12. An erasing apparatus comprising:
 an erasing section configured to erase an image on a sheet; 
 a conveying member configured to convey the sheet to the erasing section; 
 a first opening section including a conveyance guide section arranged on an opposite side of the conveying member across a conveying path for conveying the sheet and configured to form the conveying path and a first pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the conveyance guide section, the first opening section being configured to form the conveying path using the conveyance guide section if changing to a closed state and open the conveying path if changing to an open state; and 
 a second opening section including a cover section configured to cover the first opening section if the first opening section changes to the closed state and a second pivot shaft configured to pivotably support the cover section, the second opening section being configured to cause, if pivoting, the first opening section to pivot following the second opening section. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein a straight line connecting the first pivot shaft and the second pivot shaft is horizontal. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the first opening section includes, in a position facing the conveying path, a reading unit configured to read an image on the sheet. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the first opening section includes:
 a conveying roller configured to convey the sheet; and 
 an elastic member set in the conveyance guide section and configured to press the conveying roller against the conveying member if the first opening section is closed, and 
 
 the second opening section includes a pressing section configured to press and close the first opening section if closed. 
 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein
 the first opening section includes a receiving section pressed by the pressing section, and 
 the pressing section keeps contact with the receiving section when the second opening section opens and closes. 
 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the second opening section includes stoppers arranged in position opposed to each other across the second pivot shaft of the cover section and configured to regulate an opening action of the second opening section.